top 10 questions to ask an attorney when being

Ten Questions to Ask Your Potential Lawyer

1. How long have you practiced law? At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the...
2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in...
3. Who is your typical client? This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For...

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What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Apr 09, 2015 · A lawyer who has the right background can often save you time and money, all the while getting the best result possible. And don’t take a simple “Yes” for a sufficient answer. Ask follow-up questions, such as where and when any similar cases went to trial and their results, to ensure the attorney really knows the subject matter.

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

Apr 13, 2018 · Ten Questions to Ask Your Potential Lawyer 1. How long have you practiced law? At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the... 2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in... 3. Who is your ...

What should I ask before hiring an attorney?

May 19, 2021 · 10 Questions to Ask an Attorney About Living Trusts. ... trust, you need to obtain living trust forms for your state. Complete the forms and sign them in front of a notary, being sure to name a trustee and create the terms for your trust. ... Considering all the options available to you can help you make the best choice. Ensure your loved ones ...

What questions would a lawyer ask?

10 Questions To Ask Your Lawyer Retaining a Chicago injury lawyer like the attorneys at Budin Law Offices is always a good decision when you have standing for a personal injury lawsuit. Personal injury claims can be complicated legal issues that can be denied in summary when the original document filings are not submitted in detail regarding ...

What are some good questions to ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What should you not say to a lawyer?

Five things not to say to a lawyer (if you want them to take you..."The Judge is biased against me" Is it possible that the Judge is "biased" against you? ... "Everyone is out to get me" ... "It's the principle that counts" ... "I don't have the money to pay you" ... Waiting until after the fact.Jan 15, 2010

What questions should I ask in an attorney interview?

Litigation-related questions to ask a lawyer in an interview include:How many court and jury trials have you done and what is your win percentage? ... What is the chance that I receive a favorable outcome? ... What are the risks if the case does fail? ... What are the odds of a settlement? ... How long should I expect this to take?

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.Oct 28, 2020

What is unethical for a lawyer?

Attorney misconduct may include: conflict of interest, overbilling, refusing to represent a client for political or professional motives, false or misleading statements, knowingly accepting worthless lawsuits, hiding evidence, abandoning a client, failing to disclose all relevant facts, arguing a position while ...

How often should I hear from my attorney?

You should never be afraid or feel like an intrusion to contact your attorney every three weeks or so, or more frequently if there is a lot going on with your health or other matters related to your legal case. There is of course a limit to how much you should be contacting or sharing.Jun 17, 2020

What are the top 5 questions to ask an interviewer?

7 good questions to ask at an interviewCan you tell me more about the day-to-day responsibilities of the role? ... How could I impress you in the first three months? ... Are there opportunities for training and progression within the role/company? ... Where do you think the company is headed in the next five years?More items...

What are the best interview questions to ask?

The Top 15 Interview Questions to Ask Job CandidatesWhat do you know about our company, and why do you want to work here?What skills and strengths can you bring to this position?Can you tell me about your current job?What could your current company do to be more successful?More items...•Feb 10, 2022

What questions should I ask at the end of an interview?

20 smart questions to ask at the end of your next job interviewWhat do you personally like most about working for this organisation? ... What do you find most challenging about working for this organisation? ... How would you describe your organisation's culture? ... Can you tell me about the kind of supervision you provide?More items...

What are 10 most common interview questions and answers?

Top 10 Interview Questions and Best AnswersTell Me About Yourself. ... Why Are You the Best Person for the Job? ... Why Do You Want This Job? ... How Has Your Experience Prepared You for This Role? ... Why Are You Leaving (or Have Left) Your Job? ... What Is Your Greatest Strength? ... What Is Your Greatest Weakness?More items...•Feb 17, 2022

What are common behavioral interview questions?

What's a Behavioral Interview Question?Give us an example of a goal you failed to meet, and how you handled the situation.Tell us about a time when you solved a problem at your job that wasn't part of your job description.Tell us of a time when you took a risky decision and it didn't pay off.Sep 2, 2021

How do you answer how should we hire you?

How to Answer Why Should We Hire YouShow that you have skills and experience to do the job and deliver great results. ... Highlight that you'll fit in and be a great addition to the team. ... Describe how hiring you will make their life easier and help them achieve more.More items...•Dec 15, 2021

1. How long have you practiced law?

At a minimum, you'll want to know about the lawyer's expertise and whether the lawyer is a veteran or beginner attorney, for instance. Your legal issue may very well be handled by someone who is fresh out of law school, (or not). It all depends.

2. What type of cases do you generally handle? What percentage of your practice is devoted to (the practice area in question)?

You'll also want to know about a lawyer's expertise and how much of the attorney's practice is devoted to topic area your legal issue falls within. For example, if you need help with an adoption case, you may wish to seek a family law lawyer who has worked on, well, adoption cases. Click here for a full list of practice area definitions.

3. Who is your typical client?

This is an important, but often-overlooked question. For example, if you are an individual with a particular legal problem, but the attorney your meeting with represents only corporations, this may not be the best lawyer for you. Likewise, you may wish to know the financial background of some of the lawyer's clients.

4. How many cases have you represented that were similar to mine?

Now is not the time to act shy. Feel free to ask about the attorney's track record, such as the number of cases won or settled, for example.

5. Other than a law degree, what kind of special training or knowledge do you have that might apply in my situation?

Some cases, like DUI and patent cases, require specialized training and knowledge for effective representation. Be sure to inquire whether your case fits into that category.

6. What are your attorney fees and costs, and how are they billed? Will a portion or all of my case be handled by paralegals or legal assistants? If so, ask about reduced costs

This step is obviously an important one. You'll want to know whether you can afford the lawyer's services and how you will be required to pay. This is also the time to ask about payment options and how often, and under what circumstances, you will be billed.

7. What is your approach or philosophy to winning or representing a case?

This can be important in two ways. First, if you are seeking an amicable divorce, for example, but the attorney is known to "go for the kill" in divorce cases, the attorney may not be the right one for you.

What are the areas of criminal law?

Unsurprisingly, there are various areas of criminal law, including domestic violence, sex crimes, theft, drug, and violent crimes, among many other areas. Before hiring a lawyer, make sure that they have the experience and expertise needed to defend the specific charge that you are facing. 3.

Is a consultation free?

While the consultation is free, the services will absolutely cost you money. The attorney should be able to give you an estimate of how much it will cost to handle your case.

Can a lawyer assess a case?

While it’s not possible to fully assess your entire case in an initial consultation, a good lawyer should at least give you some insight into how they would handle your case so that you can make an informed decision about whether they are the right lawyer.

Can a criminal defense lawyer settle a case?

If the criminal defense lawyer regularly settles cases via plea bargain rather than trial, the lawyer may not have the appropriate experience to represent you in a trial.

What is the job of a prosecuting attorney?

Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party. Entertainment Law – Deals with issues largely related to Intellectual Property law, rights, royalties, and contracts. Environmental Law – Enforces regulations, statutes, treaties, or conventions according to state or federal laws.

What are the duties of a criminal defense attorney?

Criminal Law – Handles issues pertaining to individual liberty and behaviors that may be considered illegal under U.S. criminal codes.#N#Defense Attorney – Defend the accused of their crimes as is their constitutional right.#N#Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party. 1 Defense Attorney – Defend the accused of their crimes as is their constitutional right. 2 Prosecuting Attorney – Prosecutes the case on behalf of the federal or state government, or a wronged party.

How much does an estate lawyer charge per hour?

Depending on the lawyer and their firm, it could vary from a $100 per hour to $1000s per hour. Flat fee – These are an option for cases that are more predictable, such as the drawing up of an estate plan. If this is what they offer, make sure to ask whether or not there are services and expenses that aren’t covered.

What is statutory fee?

Statutory fee – Some forms of legal work have legally set fees involved. Once you’ve gone over payment, request an estimate of total cost. Although, in many cases, it’s impossible to give you an on-the-number appraisal, having a ballpark figure can help you determine if you can afford it and then budget accordingly. 6.

What is a trust after death?

A trust is designed to function during your life and after your death. A will provides for the distribution of all of your assets upon your death. It only provides instructions for what will happen to your assets after you die.

Why are living trusts so popular?

Living trusts offer a variety of benefits, which is why they have become so popular. Living trusts allow your estate to avoid probate. By doing so you avoid the costs associated with having a will probated, but you also avoid the delay associated with probate. It can take months for a last will to be probated, but when you create a living trust, ...

What is a living trust?

A living trust is a document that allows you to place assets into a trust during your lifetime. You continue to use the assets, but they are owned in the name of the trust. You name a trustee who is responsible for managing and protecting the assets in the trust. After your death, the assets in the trust are distributed to ...

Can you name yourself as trustee of a trust?

You can choose anyone or even a corporation as your trustee if you prefer. If you name yourself, you will need to name a successor trustee who can step up to manage the trust after your death.

What is a revocable trust?

A revocable trust (one that can be altered during your lifetime) does not avoid estate taxes that are applied by your state or the federal government. A special kind of living trust called an AB trust passes assets directly from one spouse to another and avoids estate tax. Living trusts do not pass through probate, ...

Do you need a power of attorney for a living trust?

Living trusts have all of your assets already placed in the ownership and management of a trust, so that should you become incapacitated, they are already being handled for you. Most attorneys do recommend you also draw up a power of attorney which will authorize someone else to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf ...

Should I have a will?

Should I Also Have a Will? Most attorneys agree that if you create a living trust, you should also have a will. This will, sometimes called a pour over will, is your insurance. In case there are any assets left out of your trust, the will directs that those assets be placed into the trust.

What is an attorney who can answer this question well?

An attorney who can answer this question well is an attorney who is attuned not only to the legal challenges at hand, but also to the way clients think about them. They’ve also likely worked with clients like you. They’ll be able to provide context upfront that answers your questions before you find yourself confused by a complex legal issue or legal language.

How many bills has Jerry Brown signed?

California Gov. Jerry Brown recently completed acting on the 1,217 bills that came across his desk this year. He has signed 1,016 of them into law, with the majority taking effect...

Do attorneys quote hourly fees?

While most attorneys will quote you an hourly rate or a fixed fee upfront, it’s important that you understand what this quote does and does not cover. For instance, will you also be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for expenses, such as transportation?

Can an attorney give an estimate of how long each phase of a project will take?

Although unexpected challenges sometimes arise and cause deadlines to be pushed back, attorneys should be able to give an estimate of how long each phase of the project will take. Make sure that these estimates seem reasonable and fit with the timeline that you have in mind.

Is it difficult to get a complete picture of someone's personality?

No matter who you’re interviewing, it’s difficult to gain a complete picture of someone’s capabilities and personality over the course of an interview. This difficulty is compounded when you’re someone without a legal background who’s interviewing an attorney.

Do attorneys have conflicts of interest?

Attorneys are responsible for divulging any potential conflicts of interest, even if they are never directly asked a question about them. However, it’s usually not a bad idea to inquire about them yourself.

What can a divorce attorney do for you?

An experienced and knowledgeable divorce attorney will provide you with the tools to communicate better with your spouse. These tools include how to communicate with your spouse, when to communicate with your spouse and how to diffuse conflict.

How to plan your life after a divorce?

If you want to plan your life after a divorce, you should at least have a general idea of how long divorces similar to yours take. This planning will also help you prepare a budget for the cost of divorce. The attorney should truthfully tell you there is no way to predict exactly how long a divorce will take.

What is spousal support?

Spousal support, also called alimony, is either temporary or ordered at the final judgment. Most divorce cases include both temporary spousal support and spousal support at the judgment phase. We are not going to go into a lengthy discussion about spousal support.